India whitewashed again at home as South Africa end 25-year Test series drought on Indian soil
India suffered a humiliating 408-run defeat against South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati and slumped to a second series whitewash at home in 12 months.
New Delhi: India suffered their second whitewash in 12 months as South Africa registered their first series win on Indian soil with a mammoth 408-run victory in the second Test at Guwahati, by sweeping the series 2-0.
Set an improbable target of 549 after South Africa declared their second innings on 260/5 on Day 4, Indian batters produced another toothless display and were bundled out for a paltry 140 runs in the second innings in the second session of the last day's play at the Baraspara Cricket Stadium. Ravindra Jadeja waged a lone battle, scoring an 87-ball 54
Proteas, the defending World Test champions, ended a long drought by winning their first series in India since the Hansie Cronje-led side did so in 2000. Temba Bavuma not only joined the elite list but also kept his unbeaten Test record as skipper intact.
Harmer orchestrates famous win
Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the wrecker-in-chief with a six-wicket haul as South Africa scripted a historic win away from home. The off-spinner ended with a match haul of nine wickets.
The home humbling against the Proteas marks another humiliating chapter in India's Test history and in Gautam Gambhir's tenure. The 408-run loss was India's biggest loss in terms of runs.
The visitors outplayed India in all three departments and dominated the series against the two-time World Test Championship finalists, who have slipped to fifth spot after the embarrassing defeat. Meanwhile, South Africa stayed second after the historic win.
In a cherry on the cake moment for the Proteas, former skipper Aiden Markram (9) set the record for most catches in a Test, overtaking Ajinkya Rahane's eight claimed in 2015.
Last year in November, New Zealand scripted history by becoming the first team to inflict a 3-0 whitewash on India in India and in the process, instilled confidence and belief in other visiting teams to conquer what was once dubbed as the final frontier.
The series sweep looked inevitable once India suffered an ignominious defeat in the first Test, failing to chase down a 124-run target on Day 3 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.